Member Reviews
This. Book. Oh. My. Gosh. The paint cans!? I screamed! So twisted and I loved it. I was on the tip of my toes dying to see how things turned out. I kind of wish things with McSmiley would have had a more fleshed out ending, I feel like that plot point just kind of got dropped, but I’m not mad about it. Things turned out exactly how I wanted them to.
Despite the lines between right and wrong being a little blurred in this book, Cordelia wants to make the world a better place, even if she has to do some unsavory things to do it. I really hope to see Cordelia(and Mango!) again in the future, serving justice where the “justice system” has failed.
This book gave strong Dexter vibes but with a more social serial killer personality. Cordelia has a love for the finer things in life and for ridding the world of men with smoke filled evil eyes. But her finely tuned life starts to fall apart when one of the drugs she sells as a pharmaceutical rep is recalled. The same drug she uses to incapacitate her victims. A thoroughly entertaining read that will keep you hooked from beginning to end.
** Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. **
Cordelia Black is just your typical pharmaceutical rep. She loves a good designer handbag, enjoys spoiling her goddaughter, and kills the occasional bad man.
This Girl's a Killer is a fantastic, page-turning, read. From the start you can't help but love Cordelia and all her twisted logic. Think Dexter in Prada. She's got a code of ethics that only she understands, but, by the end of the book, you understand it too.
I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down. I highly recommend to anyone who loves a good character-focused book, thriller/mystery, or a good comedy (yes this book has some killer comedic moments...pun totally intended).
Cordelia Black is very protective of her best friend Diane and her daughter Samantha. There isn’t anything she wouldn’t do for them. She has already killed once and gotten away with it. Now, the has a whole system down to eliminate the bodies. Creepy but so entertaining !
Cordelia is a pharmacy rep by day but at night she takes Justice into her hands. She is meticulous in her following bad men and eliminating them. I loved her vigilante justice and then making art after from what remains was so creepy.
When Simon starts dating Diane she worries he isn’t good enough. One bad day at work sends everything spiraling off course and she worries how will she get out of this.
The title tells you exactly what to expect with this book, and I was not disappointed. This Girl's A Killer follows Cordelia Black as she rids the world of bad men while balancing a stressful job and a friendship with her BFF Diane, and her goddaughter Sam. Oh and she matched with a cop on a dating app. Oops.
While I enjoyed the story, I would've loved more insight into how Cordelia does her research and picks her victims. Once a love interest was introduced for Diane, I knew what was coming. It would've been a bigger shock/twist if he turned out to be a normal guy honestly. I thought the way that Cordelia disposed of the bodies was actually really clever, until that option is taken away. I did like watching her devolve a bit but I found it frustrating as well. How do you not have a back up plan for when things don't go as planned? For someone who prided herself on sticking with her guns, it was a little shocking. She was quick to panic which of course lead to the main story line in the book. One of the minor story lines involves a dog named Mango, and I think it was one of my favorite parts of the story.
I have to say though, for a first time author I was really impressed by the book. I'm very curious to see where Emma's writing takes her, as I see big things in the future if this is her debut.
Cordelia Black is the ultimate feminist serial killer- going after male predators. She's got everything in her life planned meticulously- she is a high maintenance and bougie pharma representative with a best friend and god daughter that she literally kills for and she is extremely detail oriented when it comes to her methods for choosing, apprehending, and disposing of the bad men that kills. However, when a problem in her killing method also causes problems in her day job- it seems the whole house of cards for everything she loves may come tumbling down.
This Girl's a Killer was a fun read that I was eager to read and delve into. I expect this to be a series based on how it ended and I hope to learn more about Cordelia's past and how her relationship with Diane and Sugar are affected. It was fun getting inside of Cordelia's mind and obviously as a woman, she was relatable to me with her issues with men and the patriarchy. I can't wait to read more by Emma C. Wells!
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review!
This girl got one thing right, she’s for sure a killer and a good one at that! 💁🏼♀️
Cordelia may seem like your everyday girls girl and don’t get me wrong she most certainly is! She has her ride or die best friend who may also be dating a questionable man, her goddaughter who means the absolute world to her and would do anything to protect, a steady job, and a wardrobe anyone would kill to have (see what I did there 🙃)
But what if your friendly pharmaceutical sales rep is also a serial killer? And what if that sales rep starts dating a man who turns out to be a cop and what if her perfect life begins to fall apart? 🫠
Sounds fun right?! It really was! I could not put it down and Emma did a fantastic job of blurring the line between villain and hero! This book left me guessing and truly surprised by the end! With a publication date in September make sure to grab this for your fall reads! It’s the perfect dark humor, campy, fun, thriller read for those cold dark nights! But beware, it will keep you up until you turn that last page. You cannot look away, it’s that good! 🫣
Emma, congratulations on your debut and please tell me this is going to be a series because I need more! You have gained a fan and I can’t wait to see what else you write! 🥰
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an arc of this book. All opinions are my own. ❤️
Cordelia Cordelia Cordelia. What a baddie.
Our girl is taking matters into her own hands and wiping out some of the worst scum of the Earth. Things start spiraling out of control and life as she knows it is at risk.
The characters are awesome, the suspense is intense. I had no clue where the story was headed and I liked where it ended up.
Definitely give this one a read. I cannot believe this is a debut novel, excited to see what Emma C. Wells has in store for us in the future.
I really enjoyed this thriller from the POV of the murderer. It was so interesting to read about her motives and changes in herself due to her past. Also, learning about her intense need to be loved by her best friend was well written. Towards the end, this book was making me a bit anxious because of the main character's situation, but overall, I really enjoyed this book.
The book is so good and mind-blowing. If you had like to read a thriller with a Female serial killer having a dual identity, look no further.
I loved the writing style. The characters are complex, realistic and flawed. The plot is engaging and the book is a great page turner. It has such a satisfying ending. While the twist added some edginess to the story. I wasn’t expecting things to turn out like that. Author did such a brilliant job.
Cordelia Black is a protagonist of the story. She loves her family. Sugar and Diane means the world to her. To protect her family she can do anything. She is a pharmaceutical rep and she kills bad men. Her character is so realistic and flawed while her killings are artistic and well planned. Diane, her best friend introduce Cordelia to her date but he isn’t how he appears to be. Simon appears to be loyal and trustworthy while Cordelia isn’t so sure about him. When they both learns secrets about each other, she has to make a choice. But one thing is certain, her family is her priority.
Thanks to the Publisher and Author
Karma..
Cordelia Black - a very unexpected killer. A pharmaceutical rep with a brilliant reputation by day - a killer of very bad men in her spare time. After all, those appalling men, those monsters, think that they have gotten away with everything- Cordelia simply makes sure that karma is dealt. There comes a time, however, when Cordelia may just have to take a step back and reassess her profession. Compelling, fascinating and propulsive in equal measure and with a credible and unique protagonist, this is a one sit read of the first order.
Thanks to the Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for this captivating eARC.
Wow, move over Dexter, there is a new serial killer vigilante in town, and I could not put this book down, I loved it! I finished it in one long sitting.
“This Girl’s a Killer” by Emma C. Wells is a riveting thriller that introduces us to Cordelia Black, a character who is as complex as she is captivating. By day, Cordelia is the epitome of success, a pharmaceutical rep with a flawless reputation and a wardrobe to match. But by night, she becomes a vigilante, doling out justice to the men who have managed to slip through the legal system’s grasp.
The novel is a masterful blend of suspense and moral ambiguity, forcing readers to question the lines between right and wrong. Cordelia’s double life is a thrilling ride, with each chapter peeling back layers to reveal the depth of her character. She’s a woman with a cause, a protector of her chosen family, and a person who demands control in a world that often feels uncontrollable.
Wells’ writing is sharp and precise, with a narrative that’s both fast-paced and thought-provoking. The supporting cast of characters, particularly Cordelia’s best friend Diane and her goddaughter, Sugar, add a rich layer of emotional depth to the story. The relationships between the characters are intricately drawn, and their interactions provide a counterbalance to the darker aspects of Cordelia’s life.
The plot twists are clever and unexpected, keeping readers on their toes until the very last page. “This Girl’s a Killer” is not just a story about a vigilante; it’s a story about survival, loyalty, and the lengths one will go to protect the ones they love.
Emma C. Wells has crafted a debut that’s both bold and daring, marking her as a promising new voice in the thriller genre. This book is a MUST-READ for anyone who loves a strong, complex protagonist and a dark story that challenges the conventional boundaries of right and wrong.
Cordelia Black may be a killer, but she’s also a hero in her own right, and her story is one that will resonate with readers long after the final chapter.
I haven't turned the last page yet, but I surely hope our protagonist stays free, so this can become a continuing series!
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Cordelia Black has a calling: she gets rid of predators, permanently. She has a system, and it works, until something makes her change her system, and now nothing works...
This is marketed as being similar to "Dexter " and I was all in for that part of it, but the detour into ridiculousness, like you'd expect in a Finlay Donovan book, had me rolling my eyes and wanting it to end. It wasn't the worst, and I was intrigued, but it felt a little forgettable for me (as someone who reads and loves the thriller genre).
It didn't work for me, but it might work for you!
CW: mentions of past animal abuse (off page), blood, gore, violence, murder, gaslighting, emotional trauma, death
3.5 stars / This was a pretty solid debut! I liked that the main character was essentially an anti-hero. I did feel that there were some loose ends at the end of the novel that were not fully resolved, so the story overall lacked a certain amount of closure. But despite that, there were some incredibly thrilling and fast-paced scenes that kept me fully engaged and reading. It was just the right amount of dark and twisty.
__
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this title. This review contains my honest and voluntary thoughts.
A solid 3.5⭐!!!
A great debut from Emma C. Wells!
Cordelia Black is a layered character who uses her dark past as motivation for a brighter future. Her inner dialogue is hilarious but also ridiculous. It was a little slow in the beginning but eventually picked up. A great illustration of female rage.
I wish Cordelia's backstory was explored more. It would've been great to see more of her metamorphosis.
Despite the dark subject matter, I enjoyed the slices of humor.
Ohhhh this was good. Modern day robin hood/serial killer that follows a moral compass? Yep this is that.
Meet Cordelia Black. Cordelia loves exactly three things: her chosen family composed of her best friend Diane and her goddaughter; her hairdresser (worth every penny plus tip); and killing bad men (she has a compass and never deviates).
Complex characters with multiple driving factors and a good dose of trying to keep everything contained which goes horribly wrong. I cannot say more good things about this book. It does have a lull in suspense around 40% but it quickly picks up and Cordelia is trying to preserve her innocence and her alibis and the weirdo little dog Mango.
I secretly hope there is a book 2 that features McSmiley because the quick absence of this character and then brief reencounter could be hinting at something bigger.
A pretty enjoyable fast paced story. Although I did have some issues with the repetitiveness and I didn't really like how it was wrapped up. I would've liked more of Cordelia's backstory and less of the random side plots.
One unimportant but weird thing I noticed was the surnames were all colours...Black, Brown, White...maybe there could've been some more variety there.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.
Cordelia Black is a pharmaceutical rep; she loves designer dresses, doing her nails and hair, and loves to spend time with her best friend Diane and goddaughter Samantha, aka Sugar. She also loves killing bad men.
Cordelia Black had everything under control until Diane introduced her to Simon, Diane’s new boyfriend. Cordelia is a multi-dimensional character. Cordelia is strong and smart and has clear goals. She’s very protective of Diane and Sugar; she can do anything for them, even kill people if it keeps them safe.
Cordelia was motivated to kill bad men because of her past trauma, but it was never revealed what happened to her. A few things happened in the plot, but for some of them, there was no proper conclusion.
I liked how the author described Coredelia as an anti-hero character.
I enjoyed reading this book; it was an entertaining read. This book is perfect for those who love reading gripping thrillers with anti-hero MCs.
Wow what a read.
Cor takes out bad man on the side while balancing her family and work life.
And one day everything just starts to fall apart.
There is some loose ends that I feel like did not get resolved. Those do not take away from the main plot in any way, But my mind is like but that happen there.
Review: What an awesome book! There were times that I had to put the book down to get my heart rate back to normal! That is what I love in a thriller! I totally loved Cordelia, and totally get why she’s doing what she’s doing. I like that the predators didn’t get too much mention as to what they did, just how they died. Not too many do that with serial killer books and it was refreshing! Thank you so much to @netgalley and @poisonedpenpress for my early copy! Go preorder this book now! It comes out on 9/10/24!!!